Which is better and why, the AF Reserves or the Army NG?

Laishai Powell — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 15:31:37 -0400

I am a mom looking to enlist in either the AFR or ANG! Ive been doing research and it seems that it’s easier to rank/advance and relocate in the reserves than in the guard. Is that accurate? Are there any differences in pay between the two? And what are the exact differences between educational benefits? How does it work when your on drill duty each month, can you bring your family? Also I plan on choosing aerospace medical service for technical training, will I be able to work as a LPN once finished or will I have to go back to school?

Any insight given is greatly appreciated! I just want to be prepared before speaking with a recruiter

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 8:11 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 08:11:38 -0400

Ok so I tell everyone if you can actually get into the Air force then join the Air force.. But you are correct when you go NG you actually sign up for that state so it will be hard to relocate out of that state. The army reserves all you have to do is switch units which is a lot easier.
There is no pay difference throughout the Military they go by rank and time in service for all branches they are exactly the same. Drill you cannot bring your family to drill. If I was you I would look into your options of Active duty then the reserves next.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2018 11:02 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:02:31 -0400

I haven't served in the National Guard, but I have served in the Army Reserves and Active Duty Army. I do know that you can transfer from state to state within the National Guard. I don't know how difficult that process is, but I do know it is possible. As to which is better, its more of a personal preference. Some states are better funded than the Army Reserve. Promotions really boil down to your unit and your MOS.

I'm not quite sure what you mean when you ask if you can bring your family to Battle Assembly. There are family days and holiday parties when families are invited, but you won't usually be able to bring your family to BA, especially your children. If you do not have someone who can watch your kids during BA, then you might want to rethink joining. One of the requirements to be in the military if you are a single parent is to have a Family Care Plan. A Family Care Plan is a document that states who will watch your children whenever you leave for training or deployment. Without a FCP, you will be separated from the military.

The way BA works is you show up at the designated time for sign in and first formation. You stay until the end of day formation. BA can be one, two, three or four days long. If you live outside of the local commuting distance, you will be provided either a hotel or barracks room. You probably won't be able to put your family into the room since you usually share the room with another Soldier. You can always pay out-of-pocket for a hotel room for your family to stay with you, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Good luck on your future endeavors. I would choose whichever military component that is closest to your home so you can return to your family at the end of every Battle Assembly.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 10 at 2018 11:19 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:19:23 -0400

What a minefield of a question. Well, the airforce has national guard units too. Guardsmen typically get paid slightly better than reservists for their drill weekends. When you're at AT you'll get paid active duty pay while you're there for both. When you're in basic and AIT for both guard and reserves you will also get active duty pay. Your real question should be, "is the army or airforce better? ". The answer is, it depends on what you want to do with your military career. Do you like austere environments and physicality? The army is for you. Do you want to do something more technical? Then the airforce is for you. Obviously there are cush army jobs and physically demanding jobs in the airforce, but in general the army is the brawn and the airforce is the brains.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jul 10 at 2018 11:52 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:52:13 -0400

OK, I assume that you are looking at the Air Force Reserve or the Air National Guard, but the questions transfer whether you are Army or Air Force.
Rank and Advancement. I see little difference between the Reserve and the National Guard at enlisted ranks at E-6 and below and Officers at Major and below. Above that it can get a bit slow in the Guard since the only positions available are within the state while you can look for another unit with a slot outside of your state easier in the Reserves. Be aware that rank and advancement can be tied to you job. If you are in a small specialty with few command slots, don't expect the rank to come quick.
There is no pay difference between the two service. Reservist all get paid the same, whether Air Force, Army, Marines or Navy.
The only difference in educational benefits is that most States offer some kind of tuition assistance for Guard members, usually free tuition to in state schools. Other than that, the benefits are the same.
Drill. I've never served anywhere that had any kind of facilities for family, so I would count on it being a weekend without them. If they haven't explained Drill Weekends, they consist of Multiple Unit Training Assemblies, a UTA is technically a 1/2 day training event. The typical drill week are either MUTA 4's or 5's, a MUTA 4 being a Saturday and Sunday, a 5 will include Friday evening. You get a full days pay for each UTA, so you get 4 days of pay for a MUTA 4.
I never found it difficult to transfer between states going to another Guard unit. It's certainly less paperwork to do so in the Reserves, but it never was a problem when my job moved me.
My best advice is to look for the unit that fills your career goals the best, whether it's Air Force Reserve of Air National Guard.
Be aware that you will have to make a plan for your children if you are deployed. Being a mother does not exempt you from being mobilized.

Response by Laishai Powell made Jul 10 at 2018 11:59 AM

Laishai Powell — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 11:59:41 -0400

Thanks guys! And the family care plan will be no problem, I asked about bringing your family with you simply bc ik during drill duty they can put you in a hotel but I didn’t know you roomed with another soldier. Also Can you switch from NG to Reserves? I want to join to gain a meaningful career so eventually I do want to relocate put in the time/work and get all the experience I can so I can move up in rank and it seems NG makes the process a little harder. Right now I just want to push myself and actually get through it so I can be established, I’m thinking about joining for 3years then switching over. I spoke to a recruiter today and he wanted me to hold off on questions until we meet. I’m so happy I found this site

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 11 at 2018 10:34 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 10:34:51 -0400

1. Pay is the same regardless, only the length of the drills may be different. 2. We are not a baby sitting service- unless it is some kind of family day, your kids would be in the way and a hinderance. 3. States handle medical licensing not the military- you would have to see what carries over.